For the last 22 years Marcio Mizael Matolias, 44, has lived inside his sand castle surrounded by books, golf clubs and fishing poles on the beach of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Neighbors and friends call him 'The King'.

Matolias has no problems assuming a regal air. He is only too willing to pose on his sand castle throne - scepter in hand - to pose for photos in front of his sandcastle.

Because 'King Marcio' does not have the same staff complement as other royal families, he is personally responsible for repairs - whether it is retouching dungeon doors or reinforcing damaged ramparts. He also waters his fortress to ensure that it does not collapse.

Matiolas says that he cannot imagine any other life.

'I grew up in the Bay of Guanabara (near Rio) and have always lived on the beach. People pay exorbitant rents to live in front of the sea, but I do not have any bills and have a good life,' he told Lavoixdunord.fr.

His house - small by most royal family standards - adjoins his sand structures and commands a grandiose view of the expansive beach.

Space there is limited for the single and childless monarch, but he still has enough room to indulge in his passion for books and beach golf.

There is only one drawback to his royal existence - the stifling heat of the beach.

'The sand holds all the heat, so sometimes at night I can not sleep here, I'll spend the night at a friend's house, but I prefer it here even if I have to lie outside by the sea,' he said.

With a crown on his head and scepter in his hand, Marcio Mizael Matolias sits on his throne in front of his sand castle on the beach of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

'King Mario' is in regular contact with his subjects and his only too pleased to chat to them outside his royal residence

'King Mario' has recently celebrated 22 years as the sand monarch of the beach at Barra da Tijuca

Mario's home is not quite so grand as his beach structures - but he still finds enough room to accommodate his passion for reading and golf

Mario says that the only downside to his royal existence is the stifling heat of the beach

Because he has no staff complement, Mario does his own renovations

Mario's sand structures are attracting an increasing number of tourists

The self-styled monarch of the beach says that he would not have any other kind of life